Proverbs 23 25

Proverbs 23:25 kjv

Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

Proverbs 23:25 nkjv

Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice.

Proverbs 23:25 niv

May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!

Proverbs 23:25 esv

Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.

Proverbs 23:25 nlt

So give your father and mother joy!
May she who gave you birth be happy.

Proverbs 23 25 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Prov 10:1A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.Joy/Sorrow to parents (contrast)
Prov 15:20A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.Wise child's impact
Prov 17:21He who begets a fool does it to his sorrow...Foolish child's impact
Prov 17:25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.Grief to parents
Prov 29:3Whoever loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.Joy from wisdom
Prov 23:24The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; and he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.Father's joy from wise son (preceding verse)
Exod 20:12"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long..."Command to honor parents
Deut 5:16"Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you..."Reiteration of command to honor
Eph 6:2-3"Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."New Test. on honoring parents
Col 3:20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.Obedience pleasing to God
Lev 19:3Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths...Reverence for parents
1 Tim 5:4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.Caring for parents as pleasing to God
Isa 49:15"Can a woman forget her nursing child...? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you."Mother's deep connection/love
Hos 12:12...Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he guarded sheep.Labour for family (supportive example)
Prov 28:7The one who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.Shame from foolish choices
Prov 19:26He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and brings reproach.Harm and reproach to parents
Ps 126:2Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy...Context of rejoicing
Prov 4:10-13Hear, my son, and accept my words...Parental instruction leading to wisdom
Prov 6:20My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.Heeding parental teaching
Prov 22:6Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.Foundation for future joy
Prov 29:17Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul.Discipline leading to parental delight
Prov 12:20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but joy for those who plan peace.Joy linked to righteous actions
Mal 2:10Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless...?God as the ultimate Parent

Proverbs 23 verses

Proverbs 23 25 Meaning

This proverb is a direct exhortation for children to live in a manner that brings joy, gladness, and celebration to their parents, particularly emphasizing the unique and intimate joy of the mother who gave birth. It contrasts with the sorrow, shame, or grief that parents experience when their children choose foolish, wicked, or rebellious paths. The implication is that a child's pursuit of wisdom, righteousness, and obedience leads directly to this parental rejoicing.

Proverbs 23 25 Context

Proverbs 23 is a collection of various admonitions and warnings related to wisdom, self-control, and righteous living. Within this chapter, verses 22-25 form a cohesive unit focusing on the child's responsibility towards their parents. Verse 22 instructs children to "listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old." Verse 23 advises "buying truth and not selling it," along with wisdom and understanding, highlighting the ultimate aim of the parental instruction. Verse 24 states that "the father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise son will be glad in him," portraying the father's positive experience. Proverbs 23:25 directly follows this, not merely describing a consequence, but issuing an exhortation: children should act in ways that ensure this parental gladness and rejoicing. It links righteous conduct, adherence to wisdom, and honor for parents with their joy.

Proverbs 23 25 Word analysis

  • Let your father (יִשְׂמַח אָבִיךָ - yis'maḥ ʾāvîḵā): The verb yis'maḥ (be glad, rejoice) is in the jussive imperfect form, expressing a command or strong wish. It implies active causation—the child's behavior causes the father to be glad. The "father" here represents paternal authority and guidance within the household.
  • and your mother (וְאִמֶּךָ - wəʾimmeḵā): The mother is explicitly included, indicating her co-equal status with the father in receiving honor and deserving joy from her children. In Proverbs, both parents are sources of instruction and are to be revered.
  • be glad (יִשְׂמַח - yis'maḥ): Derived from śāmaḥ, meaning to be joyful, cheerful, or happy. This speaks to a deep, inner state of contentment and satisfaction, stemming from a child's character and actions.
  • let her who bore you (תָּגֵל יֹולַדְתֶּךָ - tāgēl yôladəteḵā): This phrase specifically refers to the mother's role as the one who brought the child into existence. Yôladəteḵā comes from yalad (to bear, give birth), emphasizing the physical and emotional travail of childbirth and the profound bond that results.
  • rejoice (תָּגֵל - tāgēl): From gîl, meaning to rejoice, exult, or spin around for joy. This term often suggests a more expressive, demonstrative joy compared to śāmaḥ. Its repetition alongside "be glad" creates a powerful parallelism, intensifying the desired outcome of parental delight.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Let your father and your mother be glad": This forms the initial, general command encompassing both parents. It highlights the expected outcome of a child's wise conduct within the family unit—joy, not sorrow. This reflects the foundational biblical command to honor parents.
  • "let her who bore you rejoice": This is a poetic parallel that re-emphasizes the mother, adding a layer of depth by specifically calling out her role in the child's birth. It draws upon the unique physical and emotional connection between a mother and her child, making the call for her joy intensely personal. The use of two different but similar verbs for joy (śāmaḥ and gîl) strengthens the exhortation, urging for both internal contentment and outward celebration from the parents. This repetition highlights the significance of parents' emotional well-being tied to their children's lives.

Proverbs 23 25 Bonus section

  • The emphasis on the mother who "bore you" (yôladəteḵā) draws upon the deeply rooted biological and emotional connection that Proverbs often acknowledges as central to family life. It connects to the pain and sacrifice involved in bringing forth life, highlighting the reciprocal duty of children to reward that foundational act with a life that yields joy rather than sorrow.
  • This verse encapsulates a fundamental aspect of the covenant community, where the well-being and moral fabric of society begin in the family. Honoring parents, which this verse directly addresses through its desired outcome of joy, is presented as a cornerstone of wisdom.
  • The jussive form of the verbs ("let... be glad," "let... rejoice") is not a mere statement of fact but a forceful imperative. It urges active participation from the child in generating this happiness for their parents, stressing the direct impact of their life choices on their familial environment.

Proverbs 23 25 Commentary

Proverbs 23:25 functions as a concise yet profound command for children to cultivate wisdom and righteousness, not only for their own good but specifically to bring joy and not grief to their parents. This parental joy is presented as a significant indicator of a life well-lived and aligns with the broader biblical command to honor one's father and mother. It implies that true success for a child is not merely material gain or worldly recognition, but living in such a way—morally upright, diligently applying wisdom, and obedient to instruction—that those who invested most in their upbringing can genuinely find gladness and exultation in their progeny.

This can be practically applied in various ways:

  • A child pursuing biblical wisdom and discernment in their studies and career brings joy to parents.
  • A young adult choosing righteous paths over worldly temptations makes parents proud and happy.
  • An adult maintaining respectful and loving relationships with aging parents contributes to their ongoing gladness.